OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the company has completed prototypes of its first dedicated AI device, with plans to release it within two years. The device aims to offer a calm user experience, minimizing distractions and providing an intuitive interface.
Altman revealed the project during a discussion with former Apple design chief Jony Ive and Emerson Collective founder Laurene Powell Jobs, as reported by CNBC, TechCrunch, and 9to5mac. The hardware initiative follows OpenAI's acquisition of Ive's startup, io Products, for approximately US$6.5 billion in equity earlier in 2025. While technical details remain limited, the device is designed to be pocket-sized, screenless, environmentally aware, and characterized by a minimalist aesthetic.
Altman described the current smartphone landscape as cluttered with notifications and visual overload, likening it to the overwhelming sensory experience of Times Square. In contrast, OpenAI's device intends to deliver a serene, distraction-free interaction that proactively filters information and "knows everything you've thought, read, or said," to prioritize relevant content subtly over extended periods. I've echoed this vision, stating that technology should be "innocently simple," intelligent, and approachable, facilitating effortless and natural use without demanding conscious effort.
The project reflects OpenAI's strategic pivot towards hardware, bolstered by the recent hiring of more than 40 engineers and executives from Apple across various hardware divisions, including iPhone, Mac, chip design, industrial design, smartwatches, Vision Pro, and camera systems. Bloomberg reported that these recruitment efforts have created significant dissatisfaction within Apple.
This new AI device initiative marks OpenAI's entrance into dedicated consumer hardware, positioning the company to compete in a space heavily influenced by design and user experience, with a focus on calm, distraction-free AI interaction.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
